Weft detector for automatic looms



y 7, 1929. T. F. HAGARTY 1,711,597

WEFT DETECTOR FOR AUTOMATIC LOOMS Filed Jan. 51, 1927 u n [We/750W g Tia/ms" I? figyaggy Patented May 7, 1929.

I unirizo STATES P E T 'QFFICEy THOMAS F. HAGARTY, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO CROMPTON &

KNOWLES LOOM WORKS, MASSACHUSETTS.

F .VG RCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A COBPGR ATION OF WEFT DETECTOR FOR AUTOMATIC LOOMS.

Applicationfiled. January 31, 1927. Serial No. 164,770.

This invention relates to. improvementin weft detectors for automatic weft 1G1)lQI11Sl1 ing looms, and particularly in detectors of the side-slip type. Such a detector is shown in the prior application vof .Oscar V.-

which possesses'special utility when used in the typev of .veft detector shown in the Payne application.

It is the general object of my invention to provide a weft-contacting member in a fee-lei of the side-slip type, so designed that it will not cutor injure the weft, particularly in the weaving of fine silk or rayon fabrics. Q

My invention further relates to arrange incnts ant combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particu- 25 larly pointed out in the appended claim.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawings in which Fig. 1 is a sectional front elevation of certain parts of a weft detecting mechanism, having my improvements embodied therein; Fig. 2 a transverse sectional elevation, taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail transverse elevation of certain parts and I Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the same parts. 7

Referring to the drawings, I have shown a part of atransferrer 10, having portions 11 and 12 adapted to engage and depress a bobbin or weft carrier, forcingit downward into the shuttle. The transferrer has an upwardly extending arm or projection 14:, to which a bell crank or lever 15 is pivoted at 16. An indicating rod 17 is pivoted at 18 to the depending portion of the bell crank 15. The rod 1'7 is normally held in inoperative position by a spring 19 mounted on said rod and forcing the depending arm of the bell crank to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, until it engages the portion 12 of the transferrer 10. An actuating member 20 moves adjacent the outer end of the indicating rod 17, and is rendered operative when the rod 17 is member 20.

The laterally extended arm 22 of the, bell crank 15 is preferably weighted to counterbalance certain parts mounted on the-bell crank and about to be described. -These parts comprise a bracket or stand'24: secured to the bell crank 15 by a clamping screw 25, and a U-shaped member 26 slidprojected into the path the ably mounted in the bracket or stand 24.

Both legs of themember 26 are slidable in bearing openings in the foot portion 27 of the stand 24-, and the longer leg ofthe member 26 also has a bearing in the offset top portion 28 of the stand 24. iA'light spring 30 is mounted on the member26- and engages a collar 31 at its lower end, which may be adjusted on the member 26 to vary the spring pressure thereon.

All of the parts thus far described are substantially similar to those, shown in the' Payne application above referred to, and for a more complete description of the construction and operation thereof, reference is made to said prior application.

My invention does not relate specifically to the structure thus far described, but more particularly to certain details of construction of the weft-engaging or contacting portion of the member 26.

This en a 'in orcontactin ortion reft) b b b erably comprises a block 35, which may have its upper surface grooved as indicated at 36 (Fig. 3) to receive the lower end portion of the UTshaped member 36, to which it may be secured by welding, brazing or soldering, or in any other convenient manner.

On its lower face the block 35 is provided with a flange 37 having a contacting surface which is substantially semi-circular in edge cross-section, as indicated in F iga 4, and which is also smoothly curved longitudinally, as indicated in Fig. 3. This smoothly I curved contacting surface of the member 35 has been found particularly adapted to engage the fine Weft used in silk .or rayon weaving, particularly when used in the type of weft detecting mechanism disclosed here-, m, in whlch the Weft carrier is engaged from the top and has a certain amount of forward movement duringsuch engagement, as indicated by the full line and dotted line positions of the block 35 in Fig. 3. Withthe single engaging flange continuously and smoothly curved in both directions, it is found practicable to run this form of detecting mechanism with fine silk or other filling without injuring the filling or producing marks on the tinished'fabric. V

The general operation of the detecting mechanism is described in the prior application, the block 35 being held from movement axially of the weft carrier so long as the weft carrier contains a suflicient supply of weft, and slipping along the weft carrier when the weft is substantially exhausted. Such side-slipping movement rocks the bell crank 15, projecting the indicating rod 17 into the path of the actuator 20, and thus initiating action by the weft replenishing mechanism.

The particular form of weft contacting surface above shown and described has been foundto possess very important advantages over the contacting elements previously in use and by the use of my invention the breakage orinjurious marking of lineweft has been substantially eliminated.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claim, but what I claim is a In a weft replenishing loom a lay movable forward and rearward therein. a shuttle and weft carrier movable forward and rearward with said lay, and a side slip weft detector mounted for vertical movement toward and away from said weft carrier, said detector engaging said weft carrier on the top surface thereof while the weft carrier is moving forward relative thereto and said detector having a single weft-engaging portion disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the weft carrier and elongated in the direction of said forward and rearward weft carrier movement, whereby said detector has a relative sliding movement along and be tween the turns of weft on said weft carrier and in the direction thereof and is thereby firmly seated in said weft turns and is held from indicating sliding movement axially of the weft carrier until said weft carrier is substantially exhausted.

in testimony whereof I have hereunto aiiixed my signature.

THOMAS F. HAGARTY. 

